A very easy Halloween DIY to try, that costs zero dollars to make!

Here’s an easy Halloween DIY to try with kids this year. It won’t cost you a thing because you likely already have all the materials you need to make your own. It’s a Halloween dry erase board for quick notes, thoughts, and doodles during spooky season.

Kids can make these from start to finish on their own. But it’s a quick little project for adults as well – no kids required. 

This DIY Halloween project appears in Halloween: 31 Crafty Days of Halloween for Kids, a free eBook available for download now. It features 31 kid-friendly DIY ideas for spooky season. Including clay bowls, a monster piggy bank, cute and spooky art made with junk mail, and so much more.

To get your copy, enter your email address below and I’ll send it to you instantly. 

 

Materials

• cardboard
• clear packing tape
• crayons, colored pencils, or paint
• googly eyes (optional)
• dry erase marker

How to make a Halloween dry erase board

1. Paint.

Paint or color a piece of cardboard in a solid color. 

2. Cut out.

Then cut the cardboard into the shape that you want the finished piece to be. Circle for pumpkin, rectangle for Frankenstein, etc.

3. Cover in packing tape.

Next, cover the entire shape with strips of clear packing tape. And cut off any excess that doesn’t seamlessly wrap around the sides.

4. Add details.

Add googly eyes, if desired, and it’s all done. Use dry erase markers to write notes, draw jack-o-lantern faces, and more. Use a cloth to wipe it all away and start again.

Make it Big

On a larger scale, I could picture this idea working in a classroom setting too. With a big piece of cardboard that teachers and students can write notes on for the season. Would be kind of fun!

Not a teacher? I still think making a giant Halloween dry erase board would be cool for the house. Would make a statement, that’s for sure.

These Halloween craft ideas are for everyone – kids and adults! So, if you like spooky season, this one is for you – with 29 Halloween DIYs to try before October 31st.

Halloween is one of those holidays that everyone (both kids and adults) can truly enjoy! Sure, it’s typically more of a holiday focused on kids and the adults may have outgrown trick-or-treating. But I know plenty of people (without kids) that spend days decorating their front yard to get into the spirit. So, I think it’s a pretty balanced holiday.

 

With that in mind, I put together a long list of Halloween craft ideas for every age to get you excited to celebrate all October long. 

Halloween Craft Ideas

To make things easier, I’ve separated all the Halloween crafts into categories: kids, decor, pumpkins, parties, and costumes. Hope you’ll find some Halloween ideas you love…

Halloween Kids Crafts

1. I can’t get over these recycled material mini monsters – completely adorable. So naturally, they’re number one on the list.

2. This DIY scribble monster art from Handmade Charlotte is oh-so-easy and cool!

3. Thinking these coffee filter bat crafts from Sunshine Coffee Mornings would be super cute for kids to make. Great for a classroom even!

4. Super cute pasta monsters from Handmade Charlotte can be made with things you probably already have in your pantry and craft closet.

5. How cute are these little ghosts from Emily Faith? Would be sweet on a garland or hanging from the ceiling at different heights. Also a simple project for kids / a good way to use up old scrap fabric.

6. A spooky spoon bat DIY from Mummy and my Three.

7. Christmas isn’t the only time of year you can make a countdown calendar. And this Halloween countdown calendar from Oh Happy Day has convinced me of that. I imagine it is a big hit with kids. 

Halloween Decor

8. A quick nature walk is all it takes to grab materials for this Halloween broom decor from The Merrythought. The wonky broom handles from tree branches make ’em feel so special.

9. A little Halloween art made from junk mail is always welcome around here. During October especially, but really any time of year. 

10. Gotta share this huge pumpkin decoration that involves some light knitting. Luckily, it’s not as much knitting as you may think.

11. These pumpkin sun catchers from Daily Magic are so fun and whimsical. They really do look like they light up when the sun hits them.

12. Getting back to Halloween decor for a minute, here’s a simple Halloween mirror idea that anyone can do.

13. I’m definitely going to be trying these DIY Halloween magnets from Entertain the Idea this year. No drawing skills required!

14. Have a little fun with Halloween flowers and a spooky message. Would make a cute yard sign for Halloween night or indoors hanging on the wall for a Halloween party.

Halloween Pumpkin Ideas

15. Looking for an easy pumpkin decorating idea? Grab some dollhouse cat eyes and  throw together a few cute and creepy pumpkin ideas. No carving required.

16. When you’re tired of carving pumpkins, this watercolor pumpkin idea is just a can of paint away.

17. One of my favorite no carve pumpkin ideas that uses balloons to get a paint dipped look without the mess. Thanks Good Housekeeping for featuring my balloon dipped pumpkin on the cover of your October 2016 issue.

18. If you love decorating with pumpkins, I have quite a few no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas for you. This is just a preview of a handful of the 38 projects to check out for this one.

Halloween Party Ideas

19. Halloween party suggestions that aren’t just for parties. You can use a bunch of these ideas for decorating around the house as well – like the witch hat garlands.

20. A clever monster veggie tray from Maple + Mango. Doesn’t get any easier than this!

21. Some easy Halloween drinks for adults that are perfect for parties!

22. Looking for teeny tiny party bags? These small halloween gift bags are a good option.

23. Easy little goodie bags for Halloween like these would be fun for a Halloween party. Or little treat bags for a classroom party, etc.

Halloween Costume Ideas

24. Speaking of adorable, the bird costume I made when Hayes was little is probably my fave Halloween craft, to this day. And it was pretty easy too, if you wanna give it a try this Halloween.

25. The tiniest little newborn infant halloween costumes! The clown costume is my fave, but I also really love the moon / stars costume and the baby mouse!!! There are som good ones and they’re all very simple to put together.

26. A budget halloween costume for sweet treat lovers. It’s a pop tart costume.

27. One of the easiest last minute Halloween costumes to throw together also happens to be one of my fave. It’s a Wednesday Addams costume!

28. And speaking of easy costumes, I have a list of 24  simple costumes for Halloween that you might like.

29. Last but not least, I wanted to include how to mend a hole with a needle felted ghost patch from Woodlark. I know it’s not a costume, but it was too cute not to include. Woodlark truly has so many great ideas (Halloween and beyond)!

And that’s it for now on Halloween craft ideas. Find anything that you plan to try this Halloween season?

Looking for a clever way to decorate your home for fall without breaking the bank? Our sister site, CraftBits, has come up with the most creative solution—a pumpkin made from Dollar Tree punch bowls!

This DIY Punch Bowl Pumpkin tutorial is the definition of budget-friendly seasonal décor. By gluing two inexpensive plastic punch bowls together and giving them a coat of chalk paint, you can create a large, eye-catching pumpkin that looks just as good (if not better!) than pricey store-bought decorations. Add a painted stem, some fall leaves, or twinkle lights, and you’ve got yourself a centerpiece that works for both Halloween and Thanksgiving.

What I love most about this project is its versatility. You can paint your pumpkin white for that modern farmhouse vibe, go classic orange for Halloween charm, or even try metallics for a chic harvest display. Plus, the size makes it perfect for porches, mantels, or even a festive entryway.

The step-by-step tutorial on CraftBits makes it simple to follow along—even if you’re not typically a DIY crafter. This is a quick weekend project that gives you big decorating impact for very little cost.

If you’re craving unique and affordable fall décor, you’ll want to give this a try. Grab a couple of punch bowls and some paint, and you’ll have your own fabulous DIY pumpkin ready to display in no time!

Check out the full tutorial here: How to Make a Pumpkin from Punch Bowls – CraftBits

Fall 2025 is here, and if you’re a maker or seller, it’s time to ride the spooky season wave. Buyers aren’t just looking for pumpkins and bats anymore—they want handmade Halloween décor and gifts that blend cozy fall textures with this year’s hottest color palettes.

Think burnt orange pumpkins, sage green accents, black-on-black gothic vibes, and pops of neon purple for a modern twist. Whether you sell on Etsy, at local craft fairs, or through Facebook Marketplace, these Halloween crafts for Fall 2025 are the ones shoppers are adding to cart.

Soy candles are always winners, but in 2025, look for moody amber glass jars with neon labels. Pair pumpkin spice scents with sage green or mustard-colored wax for an instant seasonal hit.

2. Crochet Ghost Plushies with Pastel Accents

Ghosts and bats remain favorites, but soften them up with pastel orange and sage trim. Pastel Halloween is trending big on Pinterest this fall.

Rustic wood signs in black and burnt orange get a refresh when you add a streak of neon purple or acid green. Think “Haunted Harvest” in farmhouse fonts.

4. Glow-in-the-Dark Tumblers

Reusable tumblers with skeleton hands or cobweb designs are selling fast in 2025. Make them pop with glow decals in neon purple or electric orange.

Buyers love eco-friendly crafts. Sew bags in natural cotton and decorate with sage green or pumpkin prints. Personalize with kids’ names using vinyl for a profitable upsell.

Paint ombre jars shifting from burnt orange to neon purple or sage to black. Add LED tealights for a cozy, safe glow.

Candy corn bath bombs in orange, white, and neon purple are a hit. Soap bars in sage green with spiderweb stamping are trending for Fall 2025.

Polymer clay bat earrings in matte black-on-black are big this year. Neon accents (like purple drips on coffin charms) sell especially well to younger buyers.

Make pumpkins in burnt orange velvet, sage corduroy, or mustard flannel. Add jute twine stems for rustic charm or black faux leather for a gothic twist.

10. Pet Halloween Bandanas

Pet parents are spoiling their fur babies in 2025. Bandanas in sage green plaid or candy corn neon prints are affordable, quick to make, and sell like hotcakes.

More Hot Halloween Crafts in Fall 2025

• Black-on-black skeleton hand wine glasses 
• Sage green embroidered ghost hoops 
• Candy corn bead bracelets with neon twists 
• Haunted house shadow boxes in burnt orange and black 
• Fabric gnomes in sage, mustard, and orange 
• Pumpkin spice scrubs in eco-packaging 
• Gothic birdhouses in matte black 
• Witch hat polymer charms with neon highlights 

Tips for Selling Handmade Halloween Crafts in 2025

• Stick to this year’s colors – burnt orange, sage green, mustard, neon purple, and gothic black. 
• Market earlier – Pinterest searches for Halloween start climbing in July 2025. 
• Bundle with style – Offer themed sets like “Sage + Pumpkin” or “Gothic Black” to upsell. 
• Eco-friendly sells – Wrap with recycled kraft paper, jute string, or compostable cello bags. 

Fall 2025 is about blending nostalgia with bold, trendy palettes. Handmade buyers still want their pumpkins, ghosts, and black cats, but they want them wrapped in sage velvet, glowing neon purple, or dressed in rustic farmhouse hues. If you stock your craft booth or Etsy shop with these updated Halloween crafts, you’ll be ready for one of the most profitable autumn seasons yet.